Directing the Documentary, 6th Edition

CHAPTER 8

DEVELOPING AND PITCHING A SHORT DOCUMENTARY

 

 

 

TURNING DRAMATIC CONTENT INTO AN OUTLINE

Now you can expand your preparatory writing into a brief story outline. This is a narrative using the present tense, active voice. It walks the reader through the experience of seeing and hearing the intended film, and uses one paragraph per sequence (a setting or block of time). You will need to establish the characters, the main character’s situation, and his/her problem (whatever he or she is trying to accomplish, overcome, solve and whatever obstructs this). Describe how you imagine the film develops, and what the likely outcome will be. Most important is to say why you and nobody else should make it. If you have significant imponderables ...